MaViAl UK vacancies for non-UK candidates
Home / Jobs / United Kingdom / Care Assistant / Support Worker

Care Assistant / Support Worker in the United Kingdom

Practical care, clear communication, and reliable documentation — this role is about trust, routine, and safe support.

Healthcare & Care Entry/Mid Sponsorship: restricted for overseas applicants (see eligibility note) Gross pay focus
CV required: candidates without a CV are not considered.
Eligibility (non-UK candidates): You must already have the right to work in the UK, or be eligible under a route your employer can lawfully use. For adult social care roles, new overseas sponsorship has been restricted and transitional rules may apply for certain workers already in the UK under earlier sponsorship.
Apply with CV Back to UK vacancies Updated: 2026-01-01
Typical gross pay (hourly) £12.71–£15.50 (PAYE; varies by rota, region, setting)
Typical gross pay (annual) ~£24.8k–£30.2k (based on ~37.5h/week equivalent)
Shifts you should expect Days / evenings / weekends; nights in some services

Pay notes: rates shown are indicative gross ranges for 2026 market conditions. Many employers use enhancements for nights/weekends and pay varies by location and service type.

What you actually do (by setting)

The same job title can look very different depending on the service model. Employers hire for outcomes: safe care, stable routines, and accurate reporting.

Care home / residential

  • Personal care (washing, dressing, continence support) with dignity.
  • Support with meals, hydration, and mobility (hoists where trained).
  • Observe changes (skin, appetite, mood) and escalate concerns.
  • Simple documentation: daily notes, incident forms, handover updates.
  • Support activities that reduce isolation and maintain routine.

Domiciliary / community

  • Visits on a rota: punctual arrivals and respectful boundaries.
  • Time-boxed care tasks (personal care, meals, prompts/support).
  • Medication support where authorised by employer policy.
  • Record visits accurately (often on a mobile app/device).
  • Driving licence can be a strong advantage for community routes.
Quality marker: hiring managers look for safe handling, clear communication, and “no surprises” documentation.

Candidate portrait (short)

This is the type of profile that gets interviews quickly in UK care services.

  • Steady under pressure: you keep calm with challenging behaviour or urgent situations.
  • Respectful communication: you speak clearly, listen, and confirm understanding.
  • Routine-driven: you follow care plans and escalate changes instead of guessing.
  • Physically ready: you can assist with mobility safely (with training/equipment).
  • Record-keeping discipline: your notes are factual and consistent.

Proof points that help

  • Any care exposure: family care, volunteering, hospital/clinic, residential, supported living.
  • Training: Care Certificate, moving & handling, safeguarding, infection prevention.
  • Comfort with shift work (including weekends); reliable attendance history.
CV tip: include a “Care Skills” section with 8–12 bullet points (personal care, dementia support, hoist, documentation, handover, safeguarding).

Gross pay ranges (2026 view)

  • Typical gross hourly: £12.71–£15.50 (PAYE; varies by setting/region).
  • Common enhancements: nights/weekends, overtime, bank holidays (policy differs).
  • Full-time equivalent: roughly ~£24.8k–£30.2k at ~37.5h/week equivalent.

If an employer pays close to the legal minimum, your “real” monthly outcome depends heavily on rota (nights/weekends) and whether travel time is paid (community roles).

Typical contract & rota

  • Hours: commonly 35–45/week (sometimes guaranteed, sometimes variable).
  • Shift models: early/late, long days, nights, or rota-based visits.
  • Probation: common; training/competency sign-off during induction.
  • Uniform: often provided; infection prevention rules apply.

UK work basics (practical)

  • Holiday: statutory entitlement is 5.6 weeks (pro-rata for part-time).
  • Breaks: if you work 6+ hours, you’re generally entitled to a rest break.
  • Safety: manual handling must follow training and equipment rules.

Exact terms depend on employer policy, union agreements, and whether you are agency or permanent.

Practical expectation: care services value reliability as much as skill. A stable rota + consistent reporting often beats “fast” work that causes incidents or gaps in notes.

Core requirements (most employers)

  • CV in English: mandatory for screening.
  • Right to work: you must be legally able to work in the UK for the offered arrangement.
  • Checks: references + criminal record screening (often Enhanced DBS).
  • Communication: enough English for safety briefings, handovers, and basic documentation.
  • Care values: privacy, dignity, consent, and safeguarding awareness.

Training you’ll be expected to pass

  • Induction + shadow shifts (service-specific routines and documentation).
  • Safeguarding adults + incident escalation.
  • Moving & handling (including hoist use where relevant).
  • Infection prevention (hand hygiene, PPE, cleaning routines).
  • Medication support rules (only within employer policy and competency).

Training is commonly provided, but you must show you can learn fast and follow procedures.

Good-to-have (raises your match rate)

  • Care Certificate / NVQ/QCF Level 2–3 (or equivalent experience).
  • Dementia / autism / learning disability exposure (setting-dependent).
  • Driving licence for domiciliary/community roles.
  • Clean, factual documentation (notes, handovers, incident reports).
  • Stable availability (weekends or nights improves hiring speed).
Important eligibility note: This page is a role guide, not a visa promise. For adult social care, overseas sponsorship options have been restricted; if you do not already have UK work permission, you must verify your eligibility under current UK rules before planning relocation.

A realistic “first week” story (unique)

On day one you’ll usually shadow: learn the handover style, where supplies are kept, how incidents are escalated, and what “good notes” look like. The surprise for many new starters is not the physical work — it is the discipline: timings, documentation, and communicating small changes early. In UK services, a missed detail (fluid intake, skin change, confusion) can become a safeguarding concern. The strongest workers are observant and consistent, not “fast and silent”.

  • Win the team: be punctual, ask short clear questions, and follow the care plan.
  • Win the manager: document reliably and escalate early rather than improvising.
  • Win the resident/client: speak respectfully, explain what you’re doing, and protect privacy.

What MaViAl provides (role matching)

  • CV-based screening and role fit assessment for UK care settings.
  • Guidance on what UK employers typically check (documents, references, expectations).
  • Clear application steps and contact support.
Next step: Submit your CV via the CV page, then we can screen your profile against current UK demand and client requirements.

FAQ (Care Assistant / Support Worker — UK)

What gross pay can I realistically expect in 2026?

Many adverts cluster in the low-to-mid teens per hour gross, with the best outcomes coming from (a) consistent hours, (b) enhancements for nights/weekends, and (c) locations with higher rates. For full-time-equivalent hours, the annual gross outcome often falls roughly in the mid-£20k range and can be higher with enhancements and experience.

Can I get visa sponsorship for this role as a non-UK candidate?

Sponsorship for adult social care has been tightened and overseas recruitment has been restricted, with transitional provisions for some workers already in the UK under earlier sponsorship. If you already have the right to work in the UK, you can apply like any other candidate.

Do I need experience to start?

Many employers hire at entry level if you show reliability, empathy, and the ability to follow procedures. Expect training and competency sign-off during induction. Any real exposure (family care, volunteering, hospital support, care home) is a strong advantage.

What checks are commonly required?

Most employers complete right-to-work checks, reference checks, and a criminal record check (often Enhanced DBS). You may also be asked to complete training modules and provide health declarations relevant to safe practice.

What English level is needed?

You need confident spoken English for safety briefings, handovers, and respectful interaction with clients/residents and colleagues. You do not need “perfect” English, but you must be clear, calm, and able to document simple notes where required.

Reminder: This page provides role guidance. Work eligibility and any sponsorship options depend on the employer, the role definition, and current UK immigration rules.

Related roles in Healthcare & Care

Back to sector list